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Using the online lessons and resources developed for the ARC at The ARC – Online Lessons & Resources, reflect on how you could apply the concepts and skills covered to your own teaching practices, in alignment with the STEM Education Policy Statement and how STEM education can be addressed as part of the SSE process on a school-wide basis.
I think that the lessons on the ARC are very child friendly and they would provoke an interest in seafood farming and allow the children an insight in to other employments and services, which stem from aquaculture. Many children would be taken with the position of sea diving and aquanaut! It would be an interesting lesson to look at the difference between populated and depopulated communities and the differences and similarities, and to critically think, and problem solve on how best to keep areas populated such as those on the west coast, Kerry and Donegal etc. Aquaculture is not mentioned very much, if at all, in SESE programmes, which is a lost opportunity for learning.
From A STEM perspective pupils could explore, research and study the STEM professions which are intertwined with aquaculture. Integrated lessons using more than the traditional STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering, and maths but history, geography, global citizenship, Arts education, environmental responsibility, nutrition, drama, socioeconomic factors and many more curricular areas could be included. The story of the ‘Salmon of Knowledge’ could be the introduction to a lengthy period of learning opportunities and experiences for pupils.
It would be essential to ensure that in gathering information during the SSE engagement that the area of aquaculture is included to see if and how we can be more effective in delivering knowledge about this industry that will be so important from a food provision and sustainability in the future.
Hi Sarah,
I would agree with you that we do not delve enough in to Aquaculture in schools despite being an island and surrounded by water and the possibility that we may eventually depend on aquaculture for sustainable food sources from the ocean. I live and work near the beach and if only to explore the inter tidal zoned habitats with pupils, I feel I have gained so much information from that slide alone.
This module is so informative of the geographical and climate features influencing aquaculture in Ireland. We are lucky to have the influence of the Gulf Stream, which prevents having the extreme climates of other countries located in a similar position but not close to the Gulf Stream. We certainly have a ‘Goldilocks’ climate and this is key to enabling us to have a quality agriculture and aquaculture industry. Even though certain regions are more suitable to one type of farming than another, places in the west of Ireland which do not have good agricultural land are compensated by the geological features of bays, inlets, peninsulas, estuaries and islands, fjords, harbours and piers that allows aquaculture to succeed. It is an important aspect of future sustainable food production as the prediction of population growth and decrease in land available for agriculture, means expansion in aquaculture is essential. The socioeconomic advantages associated with aquaculture are important with the benefits for local communities, from direct employment to indirect employment and services, bringing financial spending to communities. The provision of lesson plans for map reading is a very useful resource.
Hi Azora,
I agree with you the first module was full of interesting information and the videos were concise and to the point long enough to keep the attention of students and create discussion. I wasn’t aware of all of these resources being available from BIM, but look forward to sharing them with colleagues so this topic of aquaculture, which is vital as a sustainable food source, can be explored.
Reflect on the potential classroom use of these tools and how learning about Aquaculture and Social License can impact your school students.
I think of all the BIM Social Licence Projects, the use of the ARC is a fantastic resource to engage students with the topic of Aquaculture. It is very impressive to look at from the outside, and the manner in which it is offloaded in the school is motivational in raising curiosity in itself. The cinematic approach gives the impression of being there on location when showing the pupils the films of aquaculture in motion. I think there is lots to learn through integration in to history, geography, science, maths, socioeconomic factors, health and nutrition from the ARC. I also think there is lots to learn through looking at the ‘Taste the Atlantic’ from SESE and, Nutrition and Health also. To tie in to Aquaculture, BIM has the Young Chef Ambassador Programme and Next Generation Oyster Farmers which ties in nicely to the socioeconomic aspect of Aquaculture. The vocabulary that can be taught around Aquaculture, and research in to the various professions that are engaged with Aquaculture e.g. marine biologist, scientist, processors etc. can lead to huge learning in a class. The availability of webinars and videos helps with the teaching and learning.
